Caffeine loving bacteria hold promise for wastewater treatment

Researchers have inserted the trait into E. Coli.

A new study in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology describes a bacteria’s “addiction” to caffeine and potential uses in wastewater treatment. Researchers transferred caffeine metabolizing genetic information from a natural soil bacterium, Pseudomonas putida CBB5, into E. Coli for easier handling and growth. They hope the resulting bacteria could eat through caffeine and related compounds that have become common water pollutants. To read the full study, click here.

Shane O’Halloran joined Food Engineering in 2012 and now works as a Contributing Editor. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2010 and worked as a copy editor and contributor to BleacherReport.com and ShesGameSports.com. His areas of expertise include social media campaigns and website management. Please send all information related to Dry Processing technology to Shane at foodengdepts@bnpmedia.com.